Due to the current pandemic, the "Guitar Days in Podgorica" festival suffered significant changes and delays, but the organizers, led by Montenegrin guitarist Srđan Bulatović, did not want to give up. So they decided to adapt to the situation, so the NKT measures will be strictly observed, and guitar sound lovers will be able to follow the event online through social networks - the Facebook page of the festival and the Podgorica Culture and Sports Secretariat.
All programs will be performed at the JU Museums and Galleries in Podgorica, and will start tonight at 19 pm with a concert by the Montenegrin Clazz quintet.
It is about an unusual combination of instruments in an ensemble and an original program conceived on the synthesis of classical and jazz music. It is composed of academic musicians and experienced professors, including guitarist Bojana Brajović, pianist Milanka Nikčević, double bassist Slaven Turusković, percussionist Predrag Lazović and flutist Boris Nikčević. On the second day of the festival, Montenegrin musician Marko Prentić will perform, who will not only show his skills on the guitar that evening, but will also present original compositions.
"The concert will consist of several stages. In the first part I will play my own compositions, in the second part I will be joined by pianist Enes Tahirović who will help me present two more of my compositions to the audience. The third part will be dedicated to the compositions of Gipsy Kings, Paka de Lucia and Astor Piacola, and Dražen Joković and Petar Dobričanin will play their works with me", reveals Marko Prentić in an interview with Vijesti.
At the "Guitar Days in Podgorica" festival, in addition to foreign guests, guitarists from Montenegro always get a chance, but this time, due to the situation, the organizers completely relied on local forces.
"Montenegro guitarists have always closed the festival. I already had the opportunity to perform at this festival and I am glad that the organizers, despite all the difficulties they faced, did not give up. The audience will be able to watch all the performances online, which is another benefit. Tonight, the audience will hear a very unusual quintet that includes a guitar. I'm sorry that there won't be guests from the side because it's always an opportunity for us younger people to learn and hear something new, because after all, festivals are the best way to connect people", emphasizes Prentić.
His compositions, which he will present to the audience, were created in the last 10 years or so.
"For many years I have been inspired by classical and film music, but also by pop, jazz and ethnic genres. I believe that it is very important for a musician to listen to as many musical styles as possible so that he can more easily build a style by which the audience will later recognize him", says Prentić.
His compositions, as he says, contain a classical style with admixtures of flamenco, ethno, pop, and Latin rhythms.
"My goal is to popularize the guitar sound through my original music. I also worked a lot during the corona because I think that during that period we spent closed, we all had more time for ourselves and to dedicate ourselves to our works. Some compositions that were created earlier changed their form during that period, so it will be interesting for me to hear how they sound in the final concert," says Marko.
While he was writing, he tried to create a work that, in addition to a receptive melody, also contains elements of virtuosity.
"While I was studying, I always chose the works of Spanish composers, precisely because they have that virtuosity in them. I tried to make the melodies accessible, simple, but that there are those moments through which the skill of the guitarist will come to the fore and parts that will make him progress", claims Prentić.
One part of the compositions has been written down, while the other is still waiting to be "put on paper" due to changes.
"Perhaps there will be some refinements in the future as well. Certainly, all these works will have their own sheet music, because I plan to publish a collection for guitar, that's why I'm doing it all patiently and that process is still ongoing", concludes Prentić.
The friends of the festival, which will be held tonight and tomorrow, are the Secretariat for Culture and Sports Podgorica, the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro and JU Museums and Galleries Podgorica.
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